Introduction: As a R1 research institution, the University of Delaware recognizes the role we play as leaders in innovation, discovery and academic freedom. That freedom also comes with commitments to our local, national and global communities and a responsibility to act in a way guided by our ethics and strategic vision. 

1. The University of Delaware recognizes its role in the Delaware community, the lowest-lying state in the United States of America and particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and climate change, and thus its responsibility to act to minimize these harms.

2. The University of Delaware recognizes its role as a corporate and academic leader in international exchange, and thus has a responsibility to emphasize just, democratic ideals both within the United States and abroad, as well as the responsibility to enact tangible change within its operations in the face of global violations to justice, democracy, and human rights and dignity.

3. The University of Delaware recognizes its role as a thought leader in many fields, including but not limited to: chemical engineering, pharmaceuticals, public policy, environmental science, agriculture [etc] and thus its responsibility to strive for the highest standards of academic and ethical integrity in such fields. 

4. As a research institution, the University of Delaware recognizes the progress of the past several decades made regarding protocols for ethical research. We recognize that this is a process that is ongoing and evolving, and not finite. 

Proposal to Establish a Research Code of Ethics 

1. Funding Protocols 

   1. The University of Delaware prohibits the solicitation or acceptance of funding, or the creation of grants, for research or other purposes from the following entities: 

      1. Companies involved in the Israeli settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territory as identified by the UN Human Rights Council, and Weapons Manufacturers as defined by the Global Industry Classification Standard.

      2. Current projects with funding from the aforementioned entities will be permitted to continue, but collaboration with these entities will be terminated following the conclusion of the current running project.

   2. The University of Delaware will more closely monitor and regulate in a standardized way the solicitation or acceptance of funding, or the creation of grants, for research or other purposes from the following entities:

      1. Fossil fuel companies, companies found legally liable for the use of child labor or forced labor, pharmaceutical companies found legally liable for their contributions to the opioid crisis, companies found legally liable for the use of PFAS and other carcinogens, tobacco companies and the Department of Defense. 

      2. Funding from the aforementioned entities will be permitted but the application for such funds must be reviewed and approved prior to submission by a democratically-elected University-wide ethics committee. Among the criteria to be considered in reviewing a renewal proposal include:

         1. The academic merit of the question to be addressed

         2. The relationship of the aim/purpose of the funding in relation to the funding entity

         3. The use the funder might make of the results (e.g. publicity, marketing)

         4. The potential that the funder will use the relationship with the University as an endorsement.

   3. The University of Delaware should endeavor to create more democratic input in decisions regarding the private partnerships this university participates in. This can be achieved via:

      1. Creation of a democratically-elected University-wide ethics committee, as mentioned in Section A, to review research applications for partnerships identified as potential concern (as denoted in Section A, Subsection 2).

      2. Publishing widely the applications submitted to the University-wide ethics committee mentioned above that will discuss the aims and goals of research

      3. Student input into the University ethics committee 

      4. University-wide town halls with students present about the state of research and public-partnerships 

University’s Role in the Greater National Landscape: The University must play a more proactive role in responding to changes in funding and ethical issues pertaining to funding at the national level. Examples include:

1. Creation of an emergency fund for use in case of paused or cancelled research grants

2. Wider engagement with peer research institutions to aid with defending academic freedom and institutional integrity, similar to the Big Ten Academic Alliance’s Mutual Defense Compact 

3. Wider engagement with the state of Delaware’s efforts to strengthen education, transparency and challenge federal overreach.